Book lovers today have two options to read books: physically or digitally. Some readers are torn between remaining in the traditional physical books, while others lean towards the digital world. Which one is better?
The truth is that physical books and e-books both have their advantages and drawbacks, so you should consider both to make the right decision. Don’t know where to start? This guide will cover the pros and cons of physical books and e-books and help you make an informed decision.
Pros of Physical Books
Physical books are printed on a physical medium like paper. Whether it’s a hefty hardcover or a well-worn paperback, physical books offer various advantages. Let’s discuss them in the section below.
Tactile Pleasure
Holding a book gives you a physical sensation, a sense of comfort and increases your reading engagement. What’s more, the paper texture gives you a tactile pleasure that can promote a deeper immersion into the story while boosting your focus.
Therapeutic Benefits
The smell of the pages can give you a psychological connection to the book. Smelling the pages again can promote a sense of calmness or adventure, improving the reading experience. Turning the pages by hand is both a sensory experience and helps you track your progress easily.
Reduced Eye Strain
Unlike digital books that require staring at a screen, physical books give you a break from the artificial light. Reading the traditional ways minimises eye strain and screen fatigue. Additionally, it contributes to better sleep since the natural light doesn’t affect your circadian rhythm.
Fit for All Ages
Whether you’re a tech-savvy Gen Z or a millennial, you can still enjoy reading a printed book. Older people who find modern technology confusing or overwhelming can still read their favourite novels without much stress.
Good for Aesthetics
You can decorate your home by displaying your favourite and collected books on a bookcase. If you have more books, you can make a home library, providing a perfect nook for relaxation. The books can also add colour, making your home feel more inviting.
Cons of Physical Books
Despite their numerous advantages, physical books carry some disadvantages as well. These include:
Expensive to Buy
The major downside of physical books is that they are costly to buy due to the printing and shipping costs. Hardcover books are more expensive, ranging between £15 and £20. However, you can find second-hand books that are slightly cheaper.
Bulkiness and Size
Printed books can be heavy and oversized, making it difficult to carry them when travelling. Storing many books can also be challenging, especially if your home space is limited.
Less Environmentally Friendly
Physical books require cutting trees to make the paper for printing. Excessive tree cutting can lead to deforestation, global warming and climate change.
Prone to Damage
Lastly, if mishandled, physical books are prone to damage, such as torn pages and broken bindings. External factors, like water, pests and heat, can also cause tearing and damage, reducing the book’s lifespan.
Pros of E-Books
An electronic book or e-book is a digital form of text accessible through electronic devices like smartphones, e-readers and computers. The e-books come in various formats, including EPUB, PDF and Kindle.
What benefits do these digital books offer? Let’s discuss that below.
Portable and Easy to Store
The major advantage of e-books is their portability. You can store not just your favourite book series but hundreds of books in your smartphone or e-reader and take them wherever you go. What’s more, you don’t need a bookshelf or extra space to store the books at home. One device stores ALL your books!
Environmentally Friendly
Since e-books are digital files, they don’t require printed paper. Therefore, they help save energy and conserve natural resources. Switching to digital books can reduce deforestation and lower your carbon footprint.
Less Expensive
E-books are generally cheaper than physical books since they don’t incur hard printing and shipping expenses. You might also find online promotions for books and sometimes get free books by signing up on a website or by email.
Digital Features
E-book readers have special features like adding notes, highlighting your favourite parts and accessing the internet. And if you prefer to read books on a smartphone or tablet, you can do a lot more than just read. You can stream movies, play games at reliable licensed gambling sites and even pay household bills from just one device.
Global and Instant Availability
Digital books are available worldwide, provided you have an internet connection. Once you purchase the digital book, you can download and access it instantly. E-books don’t run out of stock, and you don’t have to wait for shipping.
Cons of E-Books
Below are some of the disadvantages of digital books:
Health Concerns
The artificial blue light from electronic devices can lead to eye strain. Continuous exposure to the light could cause headaches, dry eyes and interfere with your body’s circadian rhythm. These effects lead to fatigue and sleep issues.
Though modern e-readers may have anti-glare technology and improved lighting to prevent eye strain, taking breaks is still advisable.
Can Be Distracting
Unlike physical books, smartphones and computers can be distracting when reading. The constant messages, social media notifications and reminders can make you lose attention.
Require Power and Internet
The other downside of e-books is that e-readers and electronic devices require constant charging to continue reading. Some digital books are only available online, requiring an internet connection to download or read.
When travelling, your device may run out of battery or have no internet connection, distracting from your reading experience.
The Verdict
As we’ve discussed, physical books and e-books have specific benefits and shortcomings. As a book lover, consider embracing both options or choose the one that works best for you. Either way, keep up your love for books!